Gay clubs portland maine
11 Wine Bars for Every Kind of Vibe
Portland’s gay bars are more than just hangouts. Most of the city’s dozen-plus queer bars opened in eras hostile to the queer community. The city’s oldest surviving bars were havens in an openly homophobic era, while its newest venues join a chorus of voices against an increasingly transphobic national climate. The entire LGBTQ+ society should, in the best bars, experience safe and free to let loose, have fun, and maybe nibble on something tasty, on menu or off.
Not all lgbtq+ gatherings have a permanent home, so we’ve assembled a rundown of the city’s robust scene of recurring pop-up parties alongside our favorite brick-and-mortar establishments. From leather bars to drag dens to lesbian parties to trans cabaret revues to Portland’s “gay Cheers,” there’s always somewhere where everyone’s glad you came.
Jump to: Upbeat Clubs / Low-Key Venues / Strip Clubs / Recurring Queer Parties
Upbeat Clubs
CC Slaughters
Est. | antique town
Though technically on the outskirts of Old Town’s Fun District, CC’s is very much at the center
PORTLAND, Maine — The August edition of the Maine Queer Task Force Newsletter sported some outrageous, over-the-top and campy headlines.
&#;Free dope on pinballs,&#; read one. &#;Poop on Pope Paul,&#; read another.
The biggest, and fanciest hand-drawn headline on the photocopied publication&#;s front page shouted, &#;Exclusive discovery of long-lost historical nude centerfold of Frederick the Great.&#;
In contrast, the scant ads inside the paper are all low-key and understated, such as one for Sybil&#;s, a lesbian exclude then on Middle Lane. Its simple text only ad reads: &#;A easy reality for gay people.&#;
That&#;s it.
The ads are just what Megan MacGregor was looking for when she spent months of her COVID lockdown combing the LGBTQ+ archives at the University of Southern Maine for information about Portland&#;s historic — but long-gone — queer bars.
In all, MacGregor was able to confirm the existence of 17 historic gay bars. As part of June Pride Month, she will lead a virtual multimedia tour of the culturally significant and historically impo
LGBTQ+ Nightlife
i
A bartender makes sparks at Local Lounge.
You'll find plenty of LGBTQ+-friendly places to call on when the sun goes down in Portland.
3 min read
Note: This section was produced in collaboration with , formerly known as PQ Monthly.
Portland has no shortage of LGBTQ-owned and queer-friendly bars and clubs. Whether you’re looking for a safe space to enjoy a relaxing night with friends, a high-energy dance party or a drag show, Portland delivers.
North Portland
Florida Room is both queer-friendly and dog-friendly. Enjoy a drink with your favorite two-legged and four-legged friends on one of their two patios.
Eagle Portland is Portland’s leather bar and home found for the Oregon Bears. Guests who wear a leather harness, vest, chaps, or full kingly with “significant effort,” get in free on Friday or Saturday nights.
Downtown and The Pearl District
Scandalscalls itself, “Portland’s Gay ‘Cheers.'” The relaxed vibe makes it a great place to rendezvous with friends, or meet new ones. During warmer months, grab a seat outside and watch the summ
Do We Have Gay Bars in Maine?
Kind of&#x;
We used to have Styxx in Portland but that closed down years ago and we really don&#x;t possess much to replace it with.
We&#x;re no Portland, Oregon but if you saunter down our streets you&#x;d think there would be a lot more gay-friendly places given our demographic.
For those of you who are unaware, Ogunquit is actually where our main gay-bar scene is. The charming coastal town is a safe space for the community and bids more LGBTQ+-friendly bars and businesses than other parts of our state.
MaineStreet
This spot in Ogunquit is actually one of the biggest male lover bars and clubs in New England and they regularly host drag performances.
It&#x;s open seven days a week and hosts themed events to keep us on our toes and entertained. They have two dance rooms, two outdoor decks, three bars, and is right down the street from the beach. Not a bad setup if you ask me.
The Front Porch Piano Bar
The blog Travel Gay lists The Front Porch Piano Bar as a gay-popular bar in Ogunquit. They have events almost every night and a killer food and cockt